Why is Priscilla not doing better business?- Page 3

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 4/27/11 at 2:29pm

"Xanadu" which was the most fun I EVER had in the theatre did not translate well at all during TV appearances. Some shows just aren't made for TV.

Also there is a ton of competition for the gay dollars on Broadway right now. Gay tourists with limited time are having to make tough choices and that may be hurting Priscilla.

Also, all the musicals will be hurt by the uber-hit Mormon which everyone feels is a must see and a hot ticket.

[DAME]

Posted: 5/2/11 at 6:30pm

Wow. Down to 67.9% attendance this week. Not good.

[kyle4]

Posted: 5/2/11 at 6:56pm

this is the SIMPLE reason...

http://thetheaterbuff.typepad.com/the-theater-buff/2011/02/wheres-stephen-spinella.html

[DAME]

Posted: 5/2/11 at 7:02pm

Eh.. sorry.. don't buy any of that. More interested in their business plan. Show had enough good reviews and word of mouth ( as you say in your own blog.. the audience is eating it up) .

[goldenboy]

Posted: 5/2/11 at 7:02pm

or could it be that the Broadway Tourist audience is homophobic or xenophobic (australia) or dragophobic?
You gotta wonder.

I mean when People ask.. what is it about and you have to say 3 drag queens
crossing the Austrailian outback to play a gig.. It doesn't sound that appealing.
But...
I was wondering about this before it open if it would have appeal to the repressed American Public.

I thought Priscilla was a hoot. Had a smile on my face the whole time.Would recommend it to one and all for a Spectacular fun evening.

[quizking101]

Posted: 5/2/11 at 7:25pm

Didn't we all expect the numbers to take a dive this week?

WIth the Tony Award NOminations tomorrow, this will be crunch time for a lot of shows. Since PRISCILLA has a decent chance of scooping up some nominations (Best Musical, Best Actor - Tony Sheldon, Best Costume Design and more...), we'll probably see a boost next week.

[evic]

Posted: 5/2/11 at 7:42pm

It is not an internationally known brand even if it was a hit in London......not every gay person is into drag musicals......Bette Midler can sing it's praises all she wants-she doesn's have the clout of Oprah who saved Color Purple from flopdom-in spite of it being a mediocre show.......the show, while getting good reviews which were very generous is really not that good-colorful yes, but a mish mash. I Will Survive is a horrible number to use to promote the show- Expect it to close by the end of summer.

[bwaybug85]

Posted: 5/3/11 at 12:58am

This show ain't closing at the end of the summer. Didn't they bring in over a million two weeks ago and now $800,000 something this week with a lower than usual attendance record. Some shows just have off weeks. PLUS the producers just announced days ago that they are sending a national tour out in the fall of 2012. Obviously they are pleased with business. Seems very stupid to me to announce a tour that would start a year and a half away if you are planning on closing the show in a few months..

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 5/3/11 at 1:06am

PLUS the producers just announced days ago that they are sending a national tour out in the fall of 2012.

This is TONY bait. Every show does this because they want to look like they're a tourable for the votes even if they're not. I really doubt Priscilla will be touring.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 5/3/11 at 1:45am

It still grossed over $800,000. So what if their percentage is a little lower. This show is playing one of the biggest houses on Broadway, so it is not going to fill up as easily.

[My Oh My]

Posted: 5/3/11 at 2:20am

Why is everyone so worried? It's like, "OMG 60% drop! DEATH ON BROADWAY!"

These fluctuations are normal. Although I won't be surprised if it closes in a few months, not cause I think it sucks but because the ads and general promotion blow.

[greeny11]

Posted: 5/3/11 at 4:10am

I saw an article on here saying a tour was planned for Fall 2012. I think this will just be an off week - as most shows do. It'll pick up again during the Summer.
Updated On: 5/3/11 at 04:10 AM

[DAME]

Posted: 5/3/11 at 9:59am

Oh ohh..

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 5/3/11 at 10:00am

Updated On: 5/3/11 at 10:00 AM

[bjh2114]

Posted: 5/3/11 at 10:01am

As much as I enjoy the show, I expect it to be gone by early next year. The lack of nominations this morning didn't do it any favors.

[chickfila]

Posted: 5/3/11 at 10:05am

It is not doing better business because word of mouth isn't very good. I found it way TOOO over the top and really didn't enjoy it at all.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 5/3/11 at 10:07am

It's slightly better than BABY, IT'S YOU.


Slightly.

[DAME]

Posted: 5/3/11 at 10:15am

I enjoyed it. I enjoyed it a lot more than two of the other musicals that are nominated because at least it knows what it is. But I agree... it wont last past this year. Maybe they will still let it do a number in the Tonys.

[Ed_Mottershead]

Posted: 5/3/11 at 11:05am

I'm disheartened by its not being Tony-nominated mainly because it will lose its visibility factor come awards night. It's a given that Book of Mormon will take the high honors. No, Priscilla isn't any kind of masterpiece but what it does, it does well. Catch Me if You Can doesn't do what it's supposed to -- entertain. Except for Butz, who, as always, is fine and who, as usual, steals the show from everyone in sight (sorry Aaron, your day will come, but this wasn't it). Had they had the opportunity to present one of their over-the-top numbers in its full glory, I think we'd see an increase in sales. IMO.

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 5/3/11 at 11:09am

Let the girls - Will, Tony and Nick - HOST the Tony Telecast this year.

That will give them exposure (and the usual jokes about NOT being nominated!)

[DAME]

Posted: 5/3/11 at 11:25am

I bet they still get to do a number

[uncageg]

Posted: 5/3/11 at 11:36am

I could be wrong, but my thought about it was the song list. A lot of younger members of the gay community probably don't know half of the songs in the show so it doesn't appeal to them even though it is Priscilla. I even know a lot of young gay men that have not even seen the movie. Then there is the show itself. It is kind of fun fluff but I am glad i didn't pay to see it and if i see it again, It will be because I got a comp seat. Just because it is "gay" doesn't make it good and a must see and the gay community should flock to it. Just my random thoughts.

[donte7162004]

Posted: 5/3/11 at 11:46am

Anyone think that the closing of LaCage will help the ticket sales of Priscilla? Is it possible to have too many drag themed shows on Broadway at the same time? Just a thought.

[bwaybug85]

Posted: 5/3/11 at 2:57pm

I really can't comprehend the "it's gonna close soon." The show has been bringing from the $800,000-$1.3 million range since it officially opened. Every show has it's weird fluctuating weeks. I figure as long as long as the producers are making money each week after expenses they have every intention of keeping it open. I imagine they've been making money since it's first preview. Once we see a dip down to the $500,000 range we can worry, but until then the speculation is a little too early in my opinion.

[evic]

Posted: 5/3/11 at 4:37pm

I am assuming the break even is around $600,000.....if a lot of shows close before/after the Tonys, it may squeak by the summer......no stars....2 noms but they needed the best musical nod.....got great reviews for what it is, but no lines around the block to get tix........hoping it makes it but like Sister Act, mediocre show=mediocre grosses even though word of mouth on SA is great. Spiderman, if it reopens is gonna take a lot of tourist business away from the struggling shows. and silly over the top costumes only go so far. May is not a great month-grosses pick up after the Tonys. Daniel should host the Tonys-he can take the snub of not getting nominated and rise above it.